[KingTonga]

To me it appears Vince didn't trust Undertaker, but I get it with his gimmick at the time. In 1991, he was rivaling Hogan and Ultimate Warrior in popularity. He was never seen as someone who could be their heir apparent in terms of being the champion and carrying the company.

He trusted Bret more ironically than Taker, despite Taker being put into the main attraction spot as Andre.

Are you saying Bret or Undertaker were rivaling Hogan and Warrior in popularity in 1991? The former, I get. The latter, no.

I agree that Vince was reticent to have a gimmick as the champion. It's the same issue that arises with all invulnerable gimmicks: how do you get the belt off them? And, also, no matter how 'cool' it is to see someone who is invulnerable, fan engagement with that diminishes with time because how can a fan really relate to that? So it works as an attraction, but not as the focal point. It's why we saw Undertaker's gimmick develop over the years with him being 'humanised' at various points.

 

[KingTonga]

I'm talking about Undertaker rivaling Hogan and Warrior in 1991. Within months of his debut he top tier with Warrior and after that shot right into the world title scene a year later.

Popular how? He was a heel.

 

[KingTonga]

Speaking to Yahoo Sports in an interview, Undertaker revealed how nervous he was before walking into the match against Hogan. He also spoke about how the fans at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan turned him into a babyface.

The Undertaker says fans turned him face against Hulk Hogan at Survivor Series 1991

The Undertaker put on a great match against Hulk Hogan at Survivor Series 1991. The Deadman defeated Hogan to win the WWE Championship in front of a lively crowd.

www.sportskeeda.com

This very forum talked about it too.

Were WWF getting sick of Hulk Hogan by 1991?

I realized that quite a few fans cheer when The Undertaker wins the WWF championship from Hulk Hogan in 1991. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYQ4bzY8msg And in the 1992 Royal Rumble when Sid eliminates Hogan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PXMgdbjvE1E

www.wrestlingforum.com

Taker was a heel, but he had some fans liking him since he was basically the bad guy version of Hogan and Warrior being impervious to pain. Right after Mania, the WWE had him against Warrior. For back then that was real quick rising in the ranks to have major feuds with Warrior and Hogan within 6 months. Think of it being similar to Brock Lesnar's first 6 months where he ended up getting cheered against Rock despite being a heel.

Respectfully, an anecdote from a wrestler about how over they were is not the most compelling evidence.

I don't need to compare it to Lesnar and Rock because I was watched Undertaker's career unfold in real time. I recall Undertaker's push. He was being positioned as a monster heel to go against Hogan, and subsequently Warrior. Being positoned as a monster heel - and getting over as a monster heel - does not mean you're rivalling the popularity of Hogan and Warrior.

It is accurate that in the early 90s the audience's appetite for Hulkamania was waning. Hogan was still over but that could lead to Hogan's opponents getting some cheers. It is not indicative of that opponent being as over as Hogan. An obvious example is Sid. Sid got cheers in his standoff with Hogan at the Royal Rumble in 1992, a mere 2 months after Survivor Series 1991. Does that mean Sid was as over as Hogan? No.

I don't dispute that Undertaker would go on to have great popularity. I don't think he was rivalling Hogan in 1991.